Merry Merry Christmas!

I should have called this posting a 'Christmas surprise' because it was a surprise to me that I actually made a Christmas card this year. LOL  This is for my daughter as she's one of my biggest cheerleaders & I love her so much.

As you can see........once again...........I used one of Krista's Saturated Canary darling girls.  My girls (daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughters) all absolutely love, love, love Krista's cute girls & she has so many different personalities to choose from so it's usually my first choice for a girlie card.  

I cut out the sugar cookies from some Christmas DP and 'sugar coated' around them to make them more appetizing.  Good enough to eat?  Well I could sure go for one right now. LOL  (hhhhmmmm.....I really need to lay off the sweets after the first. Good thing I only make Rocky Road Fudge for the holidays.  LOL)

I'd like to enter the following challenges:
Creative Belli Blog:  #185 Christmas
Divas by Design:  Anything Goes
Little Red Wagon:  #217 Anything Christmas
The Paper Shelter:  Christmas challenge ~ Anything Goes
Simon Says:  Bling it on!
A Creative Romance:  Sparkle at Christmas
Craftitude:  #55 Anything Goes / Christmas Sparkle
Craftyhands Challenge Blog:  Season's Greetings/Winter Theme
Digi Haven:  tis the Colors of the Season ~ Red & Green (must use digi)
Fun with shapes & more:  #150 Bling Bling (must use a cut out ~ I cut out the cookies)
Jellypark Challenges:  Christmas
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #38 Anything Goes (must be a card)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge:  #156 Last minute Christmas card (& boy was this one last minute)
Digi Design Challenge Blog:  Anything Christmas
613 Avenue Create:  #51 Anything Goes
Challenges 4 Everybody:  #36 Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges:  #72 Christmas
Hobby Cutz Challenges:  #30 Anything Goes
Pile it on:  #48 P is for (pink, paper, pretty, peppermint candy cane)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra:  Extra December challenge

I hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas with those you love & hold close to your heart.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

More Birthday Blessings

My one & only favorite daughter Kim celebrated her birthday yesterday. She's all about her tan & working out to keep in good shape so when I saw this Saturated Canary image I knew I wanted to use her for my Kim's birthday card. As you can tell I love, love, love Krista Smith's adorable girls. They always fit perfectly for my girl's cards.

The little sign I made is computer generated & fits her to a tee.  The crown is a punch that I layered up several times to give it some stability.  The glitter paper came in so handy for the cupcake & crown.  Kim also loves leopard print so I just had to go with this black print I found at Hobby Lobby.

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #36 Anything Goes (cards only)
A Gem of a Challenge:  #109 Anything Goes
All Sorts Challenge Blog:  #236 Anything but Christmas
613 Avenue Create:  #49 Anything Goes
Pile It On:  #48 "P is for" (Pink - Punch - Pumping iron - Pretty)
Scribble & Scrap Blog & Challenge:  #7 Anything Goes
Created with Love Challenges:  #70 Anything Goes
Paper Makeup Stamps:  #118 Sparkle (use a digi)
Stamp and Create:  December Anything Goes
Clear It Out Challenge Blog:  Anything Goes
Crafty Girls Challenges:  #8 Anything Goes

Thank you so much for visiting with me today. 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

All Grown Up

October was a very special month for my youngest granddaughter.  It was her 18th birthday!  Wow!  Seems like only yesterday that I was rocking her in my arms.  Such a beautiful girl!  And she just got her first job.  YAY!  I'm so very proud of her.

For her special birthday card I chose to use another Saturated Canary image.  This little cutie is called Starla.  Doesn't she look like a star.  I love the little mustache thingie she's holding too.  Those are so popular right now.  I thought the black striped paper behind her complimented her little tights.  I wish I had stars on my face too.  LOL

These are the card details:

Copics used:  Skin (E000, E00, R11), Hair (E31, E41, E35), Eyes (E35), Clothing (C0, C1, C7, B0000, B000, B00, B02)
DP:  DCWV "All Dressed Up matstack", American Crafts Glitter Paper 6x6 pad
Distress Ink 'black soot'
Other elements from my stash

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Craft-Dee BowZ:  Nov. anything goes with handmade bow
Created with Love Challenges:  #67 anything goes (with paper)
Make It Monday:  #167 anything goes (must comment)
Cuttin and Stampin Challenges:  #46 anything goes with numbers ("18")
Sweet Stamps Blog:  #144 anything goes
By LORi Designs Challenges:  #60 Use paper
Crafting by Designs:  Anything goes with a "birthday" twist
Creative Moments:  #30 Anything goes/CAS
Lady Anne's 8th Challenge:  More than one layer
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog:  #154 Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey:  Bling It Up

Thank you so much for visiting with me today. 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Birthday Blessings

This card is for my daughter's best friend, Shannon.  I used another Saturated Canary image called Princess Rose Red.  I opted to crop out the cute little birdie that comes with this image.  (You can see it in the thumbnail below.)   I just love the sweetness of Krista's girls. 

Card recipe:
Copics:  Skin (E000, E00, R20), Eyes (E31, E35), Hair (E31, E41), Clothes (B000, B00, B02)
DP:   American Crafts Glitter Paper, DCWV - 'the Mariposa Matstack'
Diecut:  Sizzix 'Tags, Rounded'
Distress Ink:  Black Soot, Broken China
Ribbon & Bling from my stash

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Card Mania:  #33 Anything Goes
Craft-Dee BowZ:  November ~ include a handmade bow
Incy Wincy Designs Challenge:  Ribbon, Twine or Fibres
Lady Anne's:  #8 More than one layer
Lexi's Creations:  #102 Birthday celebrations
Love to Scrap Challenge Blog:  #17 ~ Anything Goes
Make It Monday:  #165 ~ must comment on other entries
MarkerPOP blog:  #34 ~Anything Goes but you must use markers
Simon Says:  Keep it clean & simple (this is always hard for me but I think hope it qualifies)
Pattie's Creations Design Challenge:  #79 Birthdays (must use an image)


Thank you so much for visiting with me today. 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

SC Dreads card

We have a lot of October birthdays around here.............3 on the same day.....the 13th...........myself, my twin brother and my daughter-in-law.  Then my daughter's BFF's birthday is the 15th and my youngest granddaughter's birthday is the 24th. So lots of card making.

This is the one I made for my daughter-in-law.  I used Krista Smith's Saturated Canary cutie called Dreads (see thumbnail below).   The colors look much deeper & richer in person.  (I've been having some problems with my camera lately......maybe time for a new one.)

Card details:

Copics used: Skin (E000, E00, R20, R11), Eyes (E35), Hair (E41, E31, E35, B000), Clothes (G40, G21, B000, B00, B02), Jewelry (Y21)

DP:  DCWV "the All Dressed Up" matstack, American Crafts Glitter Paper (Target)

Spellbinders Shapeabilities "Fancy Lattice"

Bead Landing black glitter flowers

Jolee's Boutique "floral prizm silver"

Recollections "Glitter on a Roll"

I would like to enter the following challenges:

Crafty Creations Challenges:  #244 Sparkle & Shine
Creative Craft Challenges2:  #21 Anything goes
PINspirational Challenges:  #79 Anything goes
Artistic Inspirations:  #63 Anything goes
Sparkle N Sprinkle Creative Challenges:  October ~ Glitter
613 Avenue Create:  #41 Anything goes w/option ~ Pile it on
Challenges 4 Everybody:  31 Anything goes
2 Sisters Challenge Blog: #165 Anything goes
CMC Copic Challenge Group:  Anything goes
Paper Creator's Crafts:  #15 Dies and/or Punches
Craftitude:  #50 Anything Goes w/optional letter S (Sparkle, Shine, Saturated Canary, Skirt)
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #28 Cards only
Stampin' for the Weekend:   Anything goes
Sweet Pea Stampers:  Sparkle and Shine
4 Krafty Girlz Challenges:  #3 Anything goes
Crafting By Designs:  Anything goes
Inklings and Yarns:  Anything goes (JFF)
Lady Anne's Challenge:  Stamp anything goes
Nutcrafters:  #54 Lots of Layers
Paper Pretties:  #PWC280 Lots of Embellishments
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog:  #149 Anything goes
The Sisterhood of Crafters:  Anything goes


Thanks so much for joining me today & I look forward to reading your lovely comments.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

October Blessings ♥

This is my favorite time of year........not just because it's my birthday month but because I love seeing the trees turn to amber shades of autumn & it signals the approach of winter & best of all.........CHRISTMAS!

(My back went out AGAIN so not much crafting done.  Drats!  I hope you're having a better time of it.)  But I am more than BLESSED & very thankful for all the Lord has done for me.

Enjoy the Fall & take time to watch the leaves fall as they may.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Christmas in July card

I recently participated in a Christmas in July swap and I included this Saturated Canary Christmas card in my partner's package. Her name is Nikki (click on the thumbnail below).  I just love Krista's cute little girls.  They are such fun to color with my Copic markers.  They've been feeling quite neglected lately. LOL

My partner loves aqua blue and kraft so this card just fit the bill.  I tried to keep it as simple as possible as that's her style as well.  I'm pretty happy with how it came out.  I really had to restrain myself from adding too much frou frou or blingity bling bling. LOL

Card details are as follows:

MME "Be Merry" 6x6 paper pad

Nesties:  round & scalloped round

Copics:

Kraft cardstock

Stash items:  Jute, Paper Doilies, Recollections bling

I would like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Hiding in My Craft Room:  #108 Christmas in July

613 Avenue Create:  #30 Anything Goes

Eclectic Ellapu:  Anything Goes

Pile It On:  #30 Anything Goes

That Craft Place Challenge Blog:  It's a Girl Thing

Stamp with fun:  #217 "Celebrate"  (celebrating CIJ)

Tammy's Scrapin Corner:  #73 Use a Digi

Use Your Stuff:  #95 Twine

Deep Ocean Challenge Blog:  #57 Christmas in July 

Die Cuttin Divas:  #126 Anything Goes with a Die Cut

Party Time Tuesdays:  #131 Anything Goes 

Crafting for all Seasons Challenge Blog:  #57Christmas in July 

Crafts And Me Challenges:  #139 Anything Goes 

Lady Anne's Challenges:  #10 Must stamp (I used a digi) 

Little Red Wagon:  #196  Christmas in July

Simon Says:  Anything Goes
Craftin' Boutique Challenges:  #1  Anything Goes
Milk Coffee Challenge:  Show us those coloring skills!
Paper Crafting Journey:  Punches and/or Die Cuts
Jellypark Challenges:  Christmas in July
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #18 Anything Goes

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Our Anniversary cards to share

This is the card I made for my hubby recently for our 40th wedding anniversary.  I loved the old fashioned looking gentleman looking at the musical notes on the side.  He looks like he's deep in thought. Probably remembering when we danced all night (see the little tag).  LOL  Okay......I know...........I've got quite an imagination.  LOL

Card details:
Papers:  Graphic45 "Times Nouveau" & "A Ladies' Diary" and Colorbok "Antique Paperie", Black & Kraft cardstock
TH Alterations Sizzlits Decorative Strip "Filmstrip Frames"
Misc:  Jute, Brad, black glitter accent

This is the card he made for me.  It's soooo sweet.  He came to me that morning & asked me which birdhouse over the kitchen cabinets was "my favorite".  Well it was hard to choose one but I finally did.  He told me not to ask any questions.  LOL  Oh that's a tough one..........but I didn't.  LOL

The front of the card is the aforementioned birdhouse sitting in our yard.  Is that too cute or what?  Then he printed some birdies on his computer for the inside of the card.  He did this all by himself.  I love it!!!  He couldn't have done it any better.  Wouldn't you agree? We're just a couple of ol' love birds.  LOL

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Blog:  #217 Kraft It
Digi Design Challenge Blog:  Wedding/Anniversary/Congratulations
Little Claire's Designs:  #35 Wedding/Anniversary
Paper Crafting Journey:  Punches and/or Die Cuts
613 Avenue Create:  #30 Anything Goes
Eclectic Ellapu:  Anything Goes
Pile It On:  #30 Anything Goes
The Pink Elephant:  #210 Masculine
Use Your Stuff:  #95 Twine
Creative Craft Challenges2:  #15 Blue and Brown
Party Time Tuesdays:  #131 Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenges:  #139 Anything Goes
The Male Room:  Challenge #1 - Anything Goes but it must be male
Simon Says:  Anything Goes
Crafts 4 Eternity:  #135 Wedding Anniversary theme
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #18 Anything Goes

Thanks a bunch for joining me.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Happy 40th Anniversary to my Hubby!!!

I can hardly believe those words ~~~ 40th Anniversary!  Wow!  It does not seem like it's been that many years since I walked down the aisle on my daddy's arm and saw my handsome husband-to-be standing at the altar waiting for me.  My heart literally skipped a beat.  He still makes my heart skip a beat..........but maybe not for the same reasons.  LOL  But he is the love of my life and my soul mate.  And I'm so very blessed that the Lord placed us together so many years ago.

Happy Anniversary, Babe!  I love you!!!

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

One Nation Under God

Happy Fourth of July to all of my American brothers & sisters!!!  

Enjoy the day with your family & friends 

and

remember to pray for our troops who fight for our freedoms every day. 

 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Lavender memories

This is a card I made for my daughter's best friend who recently lost her mother.  She is like a daughter to me (she calls me "Mama Sharron") and loves purples & pinks so I thought this was a fitting card to show her how much I care.  It's always so hard to lose a loved one but we know that she is in a much better place & she's comforted by her memories of her mom. 

For my card I used simple lavender & purple cardstock & ran the lavender cs through my Vagabond machine.  This was my first time using a new Cuttlebug embossing folder by Anna Griffin called "Poppy".  It also came with an embossing border that I used for the side panel.  The flower is a Recollections floral embellishment from Michael's.  I distressed the embossing & edges with DI 'frayed burlap' and finished it off with satin ribbon & a little bling.  I think it gives it a more vintage feel.

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Challenges 4 Everybody:  #23 Anything Goes
Pile it on:  #25 Vintage
Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT challenge:  Flowers & Ribbon
LEJ Designs Challenge Blog:  #58 Add some texture (embossing)
Divas by Design:  Distressing
Pollycraft Challenge:  #1 Anything Goes
Scrapper's Delights Challenge Blog:  'S' is for Sympathy card
Crafty Catz:  Pick and Mix (Anything Goes and Embossing)
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #12 Card ~ Anything Goes
Totally Paper Crafts:  #172 Flowers and Bows
Craft Lovin Challenge Blog:  #2 Anything Goes
One Stop Craft Challenge:  #231 For a Friend
The Hobby House Challenge Blog:  #1 Anything Goes


As always.........thank you for taking the time to comment & leave some love.

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

A Timeless Father's Day card

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's who deserve special treatment today...........especially my hubby Frank who is the best Daddy in all the world to our three children as well as to our grand kids.

This card was made using a Tim Holtz Timepiece Clock as the focal image.  I love how jute just seems to go perfectly with the Kraft paper.  The clock represented my Timeless love for my hubby.  We've been married almost 40 years (next month) & I'm so very blessed that he is my best friend.

I used some Recollections brads that resemble screws & the paper was from two 6x6 paper pads by My Mind's Eye called "The Sweetest Thing" and "Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing".  My hubby likes the more simple style so I tried not to add too much to it.  He loved it.

I'd like to enter my card in the following challenges:
613 Avenue Create:  #24 Anything Goes or for a Male
Challenges 4 Everybody:  #22 Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges:  #59 Father's Day / Male Theme
Hobby Cutz Challenges:  #8  Masculine and/or Father's Day
Joanna Sheen Challenge:  Father's Day
Pan Pastel UK Challenge Blog:  #24 Male Theme
The Squirrel and The Fox:  #46 Use Something Metal
Craft your Passion challenges:  #166 Father's Day / Masculine
The Pink Elephant:  #203 Father's Day
Anything Goes Challenge Blog:  #94 Father's Day
Mema's Crafts:  June ~ Anything Goes / Father's Day
Get Inky! Challenge:  #6 For Boys and/or Men
Lexi's Creations:  #92 Father's Day
Clear It Out Challenge:  Male card / Stash item:  Metal (brads, clock, spinner)
Creative Card Crew:  #38 Metal (brads, clock, spinner)
Creative Craft Challenges2:  #12 We love you, Dad (Father's Day)
Cuttin and Stampin Challenges:  #23 Father's Day
Scrap-Creations:  Father's Day
Papertake Weekly Challenge:  Hello Boys (Male cards)
Top Tip Tuesday:  #103 Masculine
Tuesday Throwdown:  #151 For a guy
Ladybug Crafts:  June - For the men in my life

Thanks for joining me & I hope your honey is having (or did have) a FABulous Father's Day! 

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Birthday card Tim Holtz style

My oldest son's birthday is this coming Sunday and I just couldn't wait to make him a card using this Picture Wheel Sizzix Alterations Tim Holtz die that I just got from JoAnn's.  I spent a whole day just looking through pictures to find some that represented his 38 years of life.......from birth to becoming a doctor.    I think he'll get a big kick out of it.

I used a lot of Tim Holtz products on this one.........the embossing folder, film strip, spinner, gears and of course the die cut.  All distressed with black soot Distress Ink.  The small checkered cardstock came from a pad of paper from Graphic45 (calendar).  I had just a wee bit to play with but I liked how it tied everything together.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Clear It Out Challenge:  Theme: Male cards / Stash item: Metal (grommets & spinner & staple)
Creative Card Crew:  #37 Punches/Dies (Picture Wheel diecut)
Creative Craft Challenges 2:  #11 For the Fellas
Papertake Weekly Challenge:  Anything Goes with the Option:  Non Square card
Love to Create Challenge Blog:  #68 Special Guy in my life (my son)
Melonheadz Friends:  Male inspired creations challenge
Mema's Crafts:  June's Challenge "Anything Goes"
Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges:  #11:  Use Foam Tape (behind Picture Wheel & under corners)
Country View Crafts challenge site:  #4 June ~ Die cuts
Ladybug Crafts:  June ~ For the Men in your life (my son)
Sandy's Crafty Creations:  June ~ Anything Goes with the twist of Embossed Background
Scrap It Girl:  June ~ Use your Dies
The Crafting Cafe:  June ~ One for the Boys
The Cupboard Trilogy:  #12 Birthday (my son)
Crafty Creations Challenges:  #225 One for the Boys
Simon Says Stamp Challenge:  Masculine


Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Graduation 2013 card & pic

My youngest granddaughter, Shaye, is graduating from High School today.  Oh my........where have the years gone?  She is such a beautiful girl.......both inside & out.  Seems like only yesterday that she was dressed in her cute little bee costume for Halloween......buzzing around.  LOL  Today will be a mixture of happiness and tears...........joy and pride.........and lots of love all around.

Big Congrats to my beautiful Shaye!!!

This card was the fastest card I've ever put together thanks to Jolee stickers.  It looks so much better in person & all sparkly than it does here. Sometimes pictures just don't do justice.

Thanks for joining in my happiness.

Huggies & Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Hope, Soar, Dream card

I want to wish my oldest granddaughter a HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY!  It's been awhile........okay........more than awhile......since I've made a card & I really thought I'd lost my cardmaking mojo.  My dgd loves owls & dream catchers so when I found this image online I knew I had a winner.  I changed the color to black & white to compliment the papers I wanted to use.  I pondered over this card for quite some time but when I remembered that she has a black & white polka dot blouse that I love.........I just had to use the matching papers.  The spinners & tickets are from the fabulous Tim Holtz.  The rest is from my stash that's been feeling very neglected lately.  LOL

You'll be seeing another card from me soon as my youngest granddaughter is graduating from High School on May 22nd.  Where do the years go?  I can't believe how grown up my beautiful granddaughters are becoming.

I also want to wish all the Mothers out there a most Happy Mother's Day!  I pray that you have a joyous celebration with those you hold close to your heart.

Gee.....it's been months since I entered any challenges so I'd like to enter the following:

A Gem of a Challenge:  #79 Things with wings (owl)
Crafts 4 Eternity:  #123 Tic Tac Toe (Distress Inking - paper scraps - 3 tickets)
Creative Corner Challenges:  #18 Things with wings (owl)
Simply Create Too:  #37 Anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge:  #6 Anything goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  Happy Birthday theme & Blog Hop
Charisma Cardz Challenges:  #18 Black & White plus one color (kraft)
Simon Says:  Things with wings (owl)
Whimsy Stamps Challenge Blog:  #59 Anything goes
Clear It Out challenges:  Anything goes theme / 2 or more patterned paper

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!

Huggies & Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Happy May Day to you

I hope you're enjoying May flowers!  

Wouldn't it be lovely to wear a hat filled to the brim with flowers.

Huggies & Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

The beauty all around us

 We're enjoying such beautiful weather here in Southern California

and our gorgeous Roses are all in full bloom.

The aroma is absolutely delicious.  

I hope you're enjoying something beautiful today in your part of the world.

Huggies & Sweet Blessings to you  ~♥♥♥~

Our thoughts & prayers........

Our thoughts and prayers go with those who were touched by the events in Boston today.  

Words cannot express the emotions that fill my heart today.

May you know the comfort and peace that only God can bring.

Thank you, Abby, for sharing this.  

You can visit her lovely blog at Little Birdie Blessings.

Blessings & Comfort be yours  ~♥♥♥~

Have a Blessed Easter!

 May your Easter be filled with God's love & the love of family, friends 

& those you hold dear to your heart! 
~ Enjoy these vintage images ~

Huggies & Sweet, Sweet Easter Blessings ~♥♥♥~